A disconnecting device interrupts a direct current of a current path containing a hybrid switch which has a current-carrying mechanical contact system and a semiconductor switching system connected in parallel thereto. The contact system has a fixed contact and a moving contact. The moving contact is mounted on a contact bridge being coupled to a drive system moving the moving contact in a switching movement from an open position into a closed position resting against the fixed contact with a contact force. A first magnet element is mounted on the contact bridge and spaced apart from a stationary second magnet element by an air gap such that, when a current flows through the contact bridge, a magnetic field is produced in the first magnet element and the first and second magnet elements are magnetically attracted. The attraction produces a magnetic force directed in the same direction as the contact force.

A power distribution unit includes a housing having walls defining a main cavity provided at a first side and a secondary cavity provided at a second side. The power distribution unit includes a main contactor received in the main cavity having first and second fixed contacts and a movable contact movable between a mated position and an unmated position to electrically connect the first and second fixed contacts. The main contactor includes a coil assembly energized to move the movable contact. The power distribution unit includes a pre-charge assembly received in the secondary cavity having a control circuit board, a pre-charge resistor coupled to the control circuit board, and a pre-charge switch coupled to the control circuit board. The power distribution unit includes a cover coupled to the housing to enclose the pre-charge assembly in the secondary cavity.

A control module for a reversing contactor includes a housing configured to mount to forward and reverse contactors. The control module is configured to receive command signals for the forward and reverse contactors and provide the command signals to an interlock circuit included within the housing of the control module. The interlock circuit is configured to use the forward and reverse commands as well as feedback signals corresponding to the current status of the contactors to prevent both the forward and reverse contactors from being closed in tandem. The control module is also configured to mount to contactors having different physical sizes. The housing may be configured as a telescoping housing, where one portion of the housing is fixed and a second portion of the housing slides with respect to the fixed portion of the housing to adjust the width of the control module.

A sliding power contact and method includes a mobile load device connector and a socket. The mobile load device connector includes a non-current power pin having a first length, a current power pin having a second length less than the first length, a neutral pin, and a ground pin. The socket includes a non-current power contact configured to electrically couple with the non-current power pin, a current power contact configured to electrically couple with the current power pin, a neutral contact configured to electrically couple with the neutral pin, and a ground pin configured to electrically couple with the ground pin. An arc suppressor is directly coupled to at least one of the non-current power pin and the non-current power contact, wherein the arc suppressor, the non-current power pin and the non-current power contact form a current path between the current power pin and the current power contact.

An arc suppressing circuit configured to suppress arcing across a power contactor coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source having a predetermined number of phases, each contact of the power contactor corresponding to one of the predetermined number of phases includes a number of dual unidirectional arc suppressors equal to the predetermined number of phases of the AC power source. Each dual unidirectional arc suppressor includes a first phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the associated contacts in a positive domain, a a second phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the associated contacts in a negative domain, and a coil lock controller, configured to be coupled between a contact coil driver of the power contactor, configured to detect an output condition from the contact coil driver and inhibit operation of the first and second phase-specific arc suppressors over a predetermined time.

An integrated electromechanical device is described, including a support body, a first and a second fixed contact, a first, second, third, and fourth variable position contact, a first and a second control circuit, and a first, second, third, and fourth signal conductive terminal. A first control conductive terminal is connected to the first control circuit, and a second control conductive terminal is connected to the second control circuit. The first, second, third, and fourth variable position contacts and the first and second fixed contacts are arranged such that, in any positioning configuration of the first and second and third and fourth variable position contacts, the first and second fixed contacts are in a condition of electrical isolation therebetween. Connection end regions of the first and second control conductive terminal are on a first connection plane, and connection end regions of each signal conductive terminal are on a second connection plane.

Provided herein are coil support structures and methods of retaining a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) of a relay. In some embodiments, a bi-stable relay assembly may include a coil support structure, having a central section extending between a first end section and a second end section, and set of biasable fasteners extending from the first end section and the second end section, wherein each of the set of biasable fasteners includes a sloped engagement surface and a retention slot. The coil support structure may further include a PCBA coupled to the first and second end sections of the coil support structure, wherein the coil support structure extends within the retention slot of each of the set of biasable fasteners.

A high speed arc suppressor and method include a first phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across contacts of the power contactor in a positive domain and a second phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the contacts in a negative domain. First and second high speed switches are configured to enable and disable operation of an associated one of the first and second phase-specific arc suppressors. First and second drivers are configured to drive the first and second high speed switches.

An electronic system that controls existing electrical devices, such as those typically found in buildings such as electrical outlets and single-pole single-throw switches, which can include a circuit board upon which is mounted a connector block, a controllable switch, an AC-to-DC power converter, electrically conductive jumpers, and a control circuit. The electronic system further provides a radio means for communicating with a system controller, which may be local or remote, which provides commands for controlling the electrical device. The electronic system is configured to compactly connect with the existing electrical device by way of the electrically conductive jumpers and to fit within the confines of a single gang electrical box.

A power distribution unit includes a housing having walls defining a main cavity provided at a first side and a secondary cavity provided at a second side. The power distribution unit includes a main contactor received in the main cavity having first and second fixed contacts and a movable contact movable between a mated position and an unmated position to electrically connect the first and second fixed contacts. The main contactor includes a coil assembly energized to move the movable contact. The power distribution unit includes a pre-charge assembly received in the secondary cavity having a control circuit board, a pre-charge resistor coupled to the control circuit board, and a pre-charge switch coupled to the control circuit board. The power distribution unit includes a cover coupled to the housing to enclose the pre-charge assembly in the secondary cavity.